Note: Food Allergies

20120530:One:
So the first food allergy that I knew of growing up was peanuts. Nothing serious, just a strong desire to vomit. Out of fear, this allergy caused me to avoid many types of nuts. However, some time in college, I got around to trying pistachios and Macadamia nuts. Eventually I followed up with pecans and somewhere along the way I tried walnut. It was a surprise I took so long to try all these nuts, because I knew since around late high school or early college that peanuts were not a tree nut, but a legume. I think I might have known at the time I obtained this knowledge, that peas and soy were also legumes, but I have long since forgotten. However, I did know that peas and soy were two specific types of food I did not enjoy eating. They leave a terrible taste on my tongue after I eat them.

Two:
A quick Google search on "allergy to legumes" led me the two webpages. One was Legume Allergy on which the words that I found most pertinent were "...cross-sensitization, meaning that the similar proteins found in legumes bind to the same allergic antibodies directed against peanut proteins."

Three:
Luckily, my peanut allergy isn't serious, and I have the luxury to test different legumes and place them under the good, the bad, and the ugly (no problem, terrible sensation, and allergic reaction, respectively).

Four:
A different Google search led to a sentence that said there are people with peanut allergies that can tolerate peanut oil. I searched this, because I have on occasion used a soy sauce that contains peanut oil without a problem.

Five:
The following on sesame oil comes from Wikipedia.com:
"People who are allergic to peanuts are likely to be more susceptible to sesame allergy.[citation needed] Allergy to peanuts is one of the most common allergies, and can lead to anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. Persons allergic to sesame seeds should be cautious about using sesame oil."

20121102:
So I have a mild allergy to peanuts (some protein causes me to feel sick and the most satisfying remedy is to vomit). Peanuts are a type of legume. Many members of the legume family leave a terrible sensation on my tongue. Certain beans, peas, and soybeans are legumes that have reacted with me in this strange way. In my experience, there isn't any liquid that can wash away the feeling. However, in recent months I been able to eat such legumes with greater ease.

The only item I was unsure I could eat was the pumpkin seeds and Brazil nuts. However, the Brazil nuts were listed as a tree nut, and as far as I know, I'm not allergic to any tree nuts. I ate the blend without any problem.

Timothy Tran

I love learning and exploring every aspect of life. My hobbies consist of playing guitar, social dancing, and rock climbing. When it comes to drinking, I love beers, and when it comes to beers, I love porters and Belgian strong ales.

I love learning and exploring every aspect of life. My hobbies consist of playing guitar, social dancing, and rock climbing. When it comes to drinking, I love beers, and when it comes to beers, I love porters and Belgian strong ales.

About This Blog

Originally known as "Adventures of a Grad Student," and temporarily titled "www.supertran.net," on 20160711 this blog became "Adventures of Me." But regardless of its name, the blog has always been dedicated to recording my experiences.